New Tuareg revolts in northern Mali.

The Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) warns about escalations after a new outbreak of violence in northern Mali – and recommends not to travel to the north-east of the country in northwestern Africa because of the Tuareg revolt. "Northern Mali is facing a long-lasting armed conflict, because the Tuareg rebels have nothing to lose and are well armed," said the STP's expert on questions regarding Africa, Ulrich Delius, in Göttingen on Friday. "This means that tourism in the region around Timbuktu is about to collapse." The situation had already been impaired after Europeans were kidnapped by members of the radical Islamic terrorist movement Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQMI).

With concern, the Tuareg are watching the growing influence of AQMI, who kidnapped 12 foreigners in the last months. The hostages are supposed to be held in custody in northern Mali. The Tuareg revolts are meant to keep AQMI out of the region and underline the Tuareg's striving for self-determination towards the Mali government.

On Tuesday and Wednesday this week, the Tuareg fighters "National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA)" attacked three cities along the border to Algeria (Tessalit, Aguelhok) and Niger (Menaka). According to a report from the Malaian army that is not yet independently confirmed, 47 people were killed. The Tuareg doubt this information. A few days before, the regular army had significantly intensified their presence in the region in order to fight against AQMI and to prevent a new Tuareg revolt. "This strategy has obviously failed – and Mali's government is now facing a two-front war."

The MNLA emerged from various Tuareg movements in the end of 2011. After 1990 and 2007 it is now the third time that the Tuareg in northern Mali call to arms to fight for more autonomy. The rebels accuse Mali's government of not implementing the peace agreement of Algiers, 2009, and of not taking care of the neglected north of the country. All mediation-attempts during the last months have failed, also because of the massive influx of Tuareg from Libya. After the collapse of the Gaddafi regime, many Tuareg were forced to leave Libya because they were wrongfully accused of supporting the dictator. "These young Tuareg are without prospects and settle in a region where radical Islamists of AQMI are in charge," said Delius. "It was just a matter of time until this powder keg explodes."